Multi-point video conference system and method

Abstract

A terminal for use in a multi-point video conference system that includes a plurality of terminals connected to each other via a network, the terminal includes a compressor for packetizing video data inputted from a video camera, and outputting packetized data to the network. A decompressor receives a plurality of packets transmitted from other terminals via the network in a time sharing manner, and decompresses the received packets in an order of reception. The decompressor outputs decompressed video information. A plurality of storage elements store the decompressed video information in a frame unit. The contents stored in the storage elements are displayed on a display. A switch changes over the contents of the storage elements to supply the display.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A television broadcasting method comprising: compressing and multiplexing signals from a plurality of channels over a single carrier frequency;   transmitting the multiplexed signals;   receiving the multiplexed signals;   demultiplexing the received signals and separating the received signals into time-sequential channel-discrete packets;   storing said time-sequential channel-discrete packets for a predetermined period of time;   selecting a desired channel;   decompressing and reconstructing those packets discrete to the selected channel; and   displaying the reconstructed signals of the selected channel on a real-time basis.   
     
     
       2. A television broadcasting apparatus comprising: a compression and multiplexing circuit for compressing and multiplexing signals from a plurality of channels over a single carrier frequency;   means for transmitting the multiplexed signals;   a tuner circuit for receiving the multiplexed signals;   a demultiplexer circuit for separating the received signals into time-sequential channel-discrete packets;   at least one memory device for storing said time-sequential channel-discrete packets for a predetermined period of time;   means for selecting a desired channel;   a decompression circuit for decompressing and reconstructing those packets discrete to the selected channel; and   means for displaying the reconstructed signals of the selected channel on a real-time basis.   
     
     
       3. A television receiving apparatus for receiving over a single carrier frequency a plurality of compressed and multiplexed program signals, comprising: a tuner circuit for receiving the multiplexed signals;   a demultiplexer circuit for separating the received signals into time-sequential channel-discrete packets;   at least one memory device storing said time-sequential channel-discrete packets for a predetermined period of time;   means for selecting a desired channel;   a decompression circuit for decompressing and reconstructing those packets discrete to the selected channel; and   means for displaying the reconstructed signals of the selected channel on a real-time basis.   
     
     
       4. A television receiving apparatus for receiving over a single carrier frequency a plurality of compressed and multiplexed program signals, and for displaying on a video display device a selected one of the program signals, comprising: a tuner circuit for receiving the multiplexed signals;   a demultiplexer circuit for demultiplexing the received signals and separating the received signals into time-sequential channel-discrete packets;   at least one memory device for storing said time-sequential channel-discrete packets for a predetermined period of time;   means for selecting a desired channel; and   a decompression circuit for decompressing and reconstructing as a real-time program signal those packets discrete to the selected channel for display by the video display device.